Male Menopause or Andropause

Posted by admin on April 11th, 2007 at 12:19pm

Male menopause is called Andropause, it includes annoying physical symptoms and the increased risk of serious problems.

Andropause usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 55. It is caused by a drop in testosterone; the male hormone. All men experience a drop in hormone levels as they age; however not all men experience the same rate of decrease and few have symptoms that are severe enough to seek treatment.

Common symptoms of Andropause include:

* Fatigue and general loss of energy
* Decreased sex drive
* Loss of physical abilities (decreased strength and muscle mass)
* Change in mood and disposition
* Increased body fat in the upper body and midsection

With Andropause the symptoms come one slowly and there isn’t one surefire indicator to show onset. That’s why it’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms so treatment can be started as soon as possible.

Male menopause not only presents with annoying symptoms, it also comes with an increased risk for developing serious health problems. Men with decreased testosterone levels are at an increased risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Severe Andropause can be treated through hormone replacement therapy. Replacing lost testosterone can cause a remarkable improvement in the symptoms of many men and has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease as well; however, it is not for everyone. You should not have this therapy if you have had breast or prostate cancer. Your doctor may also not want you to use testosterone replacement therapy if you have liver, heart, or kidney disease, edema, an enlarged prostate, or diabetes. You may also not be able to have this therapy if you wish to have children, have had an allergic reaction to certain medications, or if you are on certain medications. Your doctor should discuss your medical history with you and determine if you might benefit from this treatment.

While male menopause is a very common problem in men, it has gone unnoticed in the general public for a long time. If you have these symptoms, you should seek treatment and see if their may be help for you.

Under Male Menopause